Since VFX Forth for DOS shares code with the other VFX Forth products, please refer to the common code page for a more detailed description of items common to all versions, such as code generation. Note that common features are not available that rely on DLLs and other features not present in DOS.

VFX Forth for DOS is no longer being actively developed. It is only available in the Mission edition.

Graphics

VFX Forth for DOS includes graphics functions compatible with modes of current video adaptors. The functions include lines, circles, arcs, boxes, polygons, flooded areas and background colours. Different line types may be selected and text may be mixed on the screen.

The graphics functions are provided by a BGI (Borland Graphics Interface) TSR interface, for which a wide range of video drivers are available.

Screen Control

All functions drive the screen direct by default. This may be directed to other devices through the vectored I/O system used by ProForth for DOS. Support for text windows is also built-in – tiled windows, pop-up windows, with or without borders, headers, etc. Windows may be opened, closed, moved, reopened, etc. at will, both interactively and under program control. BIOS and ANSI support are also included.

PowerNet

The PowerNet Echo, Telnet and Web servers are available for VFX Forth for DOS at extra charge. Note that because of the variations between DOS versions and facilities, you may need to write an Ethernet driver. MPE can provide consultancy support.

These are multi-threaded servers. The Web server supports CGI and ASP, with Forth being used as the scripting language. SOAP, XML and Web Services are provided for direct interchange of information between VFX Forth and and any web service enabled product such as MS Excel and Project. The PowerNet shipped with VFX Forth is an enhancement of the code in the embedded verion, so see the PowerNet page for more details of PowerNet

Fully Compatible with DOS and DOS boxes

We use a royalty-free DOS extender which is supplied with full source code. Turnkey applications are bound with the DOS extender to make stand-alone applications for distribution. VFX Forth for DOS is the only package you need to develop and ship DOS protected mode applications.

System Requirements:

Any version of DOS 6.x or Windows 98, NT, 2000, or XP.

A maths co-processor is required for floating-point maths.

Compatible with other MPE Products

The VFX Forth kernel is source-code compatible with MPE’s Forth 6 cross compilers, and compatibility for earlier versions of VFX Forth for DOS and MPE’s Forth 83 standard products has been made simple. A harness exists to ease conversion from ProForth for DOS.

Ordering

VFX Forth for DOS is the Mission edition only.

Mission: Full system with all sources and cross compiler, and full source for all support tools, including the cross compiler, EXE file generator. Requires a Non-Disclosure Agreement to be signed. Includes source code for all VFX Forths.

Note that educational users can obtain all the VFX Forth editions at a 50% discount.

Upgrades are available from one version to another.

Support Services

MPE has been supporting professional Forth users since 1981. We offer the following services:

Standard Support

Fax and email hotline technical support on the use of VFX Forth. Within 3 months of purchase any updates are provided free of charge.

Extended Technical support

All upgrades as they are released from development, usually four times per year

New from mpe – click on title for more information

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